CVE-2020-1533 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists in the way that the Windows WalletService handles objects in memory. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could execute code with elevated permissions. To exploit the vulnerability, a locally authenticated attacker could run a specially crafted application. The security update addresses the vulnerability by ensuring the Windows WalletService properly handles objects in memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1533 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Windows WalletService component that operates at the kernel level. This service manages digital wallet functionality including credentials, certificates, and other sensitive authentication data stored in memory. The flaw manifests in the service's improper handling of memory objects during processing operations, creating a potential attack vector for malicious code execution with elevated system privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects Windows operating systems where the WalletService component is installed and actively running, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments and individual users alike.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a locally authenticated attacker who can execute a specially crafted application on the target system. The flaw occurs during memory management operations within the WalletService, where insufficient validation or proper object handling allows for memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation details suggest memory management issues rather than traditional buffer overflows. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local authentication, meaning an attacker with legitimate user credentials can potentially escalate their privileges without requiring additional administrative access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive credential data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The WalletService handles highly sensitive information including digital certificates, smart card credentials, and other authentication tokens that could be extracted or manipulated by an attacker with elevated privileges. This represents a significant risk to enterprise security environments where the WalletService is actively used for credential management, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally within networks or gain access to additional systems through compromised credentials.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through a security update that modifies the WalletService memory handling procedures to properly validate and manage objects during processing operations. The fix ensures that memory objects are correctly validated before execution and that proper boundary checks are implemented to prevent unauthorized memory access or manipulation. Organizations should prioritize deployment of this update across all affected systems, particularly those running Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019 versions where the WalletService component is present. The mitigation strategy aligns with standard security practices outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation technique category, specifically targeting the T1068 and T1548 sub-techniques related to local privilege escalation and abuse of system permissions.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in system services that handle sensitive data, particularly those operating with elevated privileges. It highlights the need for robust input validation and memory safety practices in Windows kernel components and serves as a reminder of the critical security implications when system services fail to properly handle memory objects. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through endpoint detection and response systems, particularly looking for unusual execution patterns from the WalletService component or processes attempting to manipulate memory structures. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure the update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing wallet applications or credential management systems that rely on the service functionality.